Weegy: Chapter 1
MODELING PATIENT FLOWS THROUGH THE
HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
Randolph Hall, David Belson, Pa
van Murali and Maged Dessouky
Epstein Department of Industrial
and Systems Engineering, 200 GER,
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, [ California 90089-0193
Abstract: The system of health care can be evaluated from four perspectives: macro,
regional, center, and department. In each case, reduction of patient delay
depends on improving interfaces as patie
nts are transferred from activity to
activity or department to department.
This chapter presents basic tools for
resolving delays at interfaces, through mapping the processes by which
patients are served, and by developing
and implementing measures of system
performance. These tools
are demonstrated through a case study of the Los
Angeles County/University of Southern California Hospital.
Key words: Process charts, performance measurement, healthcare systems
1.
INTRODUCTION
Health care systems have been challenged in recent years to deliver high
quality care with limited resources. In the United States, large segments of
the population have inadequate health
insurance coverage, forcing them to
rely on an under funded public health
system. At the national level, the
National Institutes of Health has proj
ected a steady increase in expenditures
over the next 10 years, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of the
gross-domestic-product (GDP). Total expenditures in year 2000 amounted
to $1.3 trillion, or 13.2% of the GDP.
While expenditures as a percentage of
GDP held nearly constant between 1992 and 2000, they increased steadily
from 5.2% to 13.1% in the 32-year period from 1960 to 1992. Due to aging
of the population and increased costs of
medical delivery, health-care costs
are projected to increase to 15.9% of the GDP in 2010. ] (More)

Weegy: Put the following steps in the order of a routine patient care flow, [ from the beginning through to the end of the patient encounter flow.
•New patient paperwork is signed and returned to front desk with insurance information for verification of benefits
•Patient pays standard co-pay if applicable
•Hard copy record is pulled, or made if new patient
•Patient called to back office
•Height, weight, and blood pressure taken by CNA or CMA
•CMS 1500 form is coded and sent to insurance for reimbursement
•Signs in at reception desk
•Patient released from exam room
•Call in to schedule appointment
•Doctor, NP, or Physician’s Assistant examines patient
•Shown to patient care room
•Reason for visit reviewed with patient by CNA, CMA, or NP
•Any refunds due to patient or insurance sent out
•Collections efforts initiated if patient's charges not paid, and any insurance appeals are processed
•Patient checks out and pays any deductible verified
•Explanation of benefits returns with breakdown of payments
•Height, weight, and blood pressure taken by CNA or CMA
•Practice manager applies payments, writes off amounts required by contract with insurance companies, adjusts patient’s account records, and initiates billing to patient that indicates insurance has processed charges.
] (More)

Weegy: In order to avoid (as much as possible) spreading those illnesses either from volunteer to child or
child to volunteer, [ there are many simple precautions that volunteers can and should take to help
maintain health among volunteers and within the o
rphanages. Wash your hands frequently!
You’ll constantly be changing diapers, wiping runny noses,
touching dirty clothes, etc. with multiple children. This is an easy and common way to spread
germs to everyone around
you. Make sure to especially wash your hands before, in
-
between and
after changing diapers, before feeding a child or eating something yourself, after cleaning up
dirty clothes or toys, upon entering and leaving the orphanage, etc. Also, if you’re sick you
rself,
wash your hands often to avoid spreading bacteria when touching kids, toys, bottles, spoons,
clothes, etc. If you’re sick and “itch” your nose with the back of your hand, or blow your nose
using a Kleenex, or cough into your hand (never cough withou
t covering your mouth and never
cough toward the children or others), etc....you need to wash your hands before continuing doing
what you were doing.
Although hand sanitizers are a convenient, easy way to “clean” your hands, they are not nearly as
effective
as hot water and soap. Anytime it’s available, you should wash your hands with soap
and hot water. We’ve found that this cuts down on volunteers getting sick or even getting
parasites.
Kissing babies/children
: We all love to kiss and love the babies/chil
dren! Again though, kissing
them anywhere on their face is an easy way to spread germs from person to person due to the
nose and mouth of each person being primary “passing” zones. So, when kissing the
babies/children (as long as it’s not against orphanage
rules), avoid kissing them directly on the
mouth. Also, avoid kissing them if either you or they are sick, has a cold sore, etc. In general, try
to kiss the babies/children on their head to avoid spreading germs............. ] (More)

Weegy: Volunteering is a great way to invest in your career and your community. [ When you volunteer, you share your time and skills with people and organizations without expecting to be paid.
As a volunteer you have the chance to boost your career in many ways, from getting workplace experience to building skills and expanding your network. This tip article will help you make sure your volunteer experience helps you reach your career goals. ] (More)

Weegy: I learned a lot from seeing and reading other people's responses here in weegy because I can see the right way of answering them in a polite manner. And also putting links is very important here. (More)